The Growing Problems of the Prison System - 1013 Words

Mr. Governor, there are many ways to reduce the current problem of prison overcrowding; unfortunately many of them are not popular as they are seen as being soft on crime and as we both know that is not favorably looked upon. Some of the options would provide a temporary decongestion of the prisons while others would be a more long term reduction in inmate populations. After reviewing I believe that there are a few that we could possibly accomplish and still portray an acceptable persona to the public. These few include reviewing the mandatory sentencing laws, education opportunities, good time credits earning, conditional release of elderly inmates, foreign national occupation and after prison employment incentives. Traditionally†¦show more content†¦Yet correctional experts, criminologists and the national institute of corrections are in agreement that individuals who are elderly are at a reduced risk as a result of lack of appropriate healthcare and the stress of living in prison exasperates the problems that come with age. Many of these elderly are in prison for nonviolent offenses and research illustrates that with age comes a reduction in reoffending. There is strong evidence that the majority of these elderly inmates are a result of the longer terms mandated by mandatory and drug sentencing laws. A review and implantation of conditional release of elderly inmates who pose little safety risk would reduce both the costs of incarceration and the number of inmates within the prisons (At America’s expense:, 2012). Around a quarter of the inmates within the prisons are not U.S. citizens and nearly 18% of the prison population are Mexican citizens (US Department of Justice). Many of these inmates are a result of â€Å"Operation Streamline† a zero-tolerance program requiring criminal prosecution and incarceration for all illegal border crossers regardless of prior criminal activity or lack thereof. Despite intentions this program has not proved to reduce the number of illegal’s entering and has in fact produced situations within the courts that have been ruled as violating the law. If this program was suspended pending aShow MoreRelatedThe Growing Inmate Population And Its Effects On The Prison System1099 Words   |  5 Pages The Ever Growing Inmate Population and Its Effects on the Prison System Frankie Lorino Jr. University of Troy â€Æ' Abstract The purpose of this paper is to look at the prevalence of overcrowding in the United States prison system, what led to its current conditions, and how it effects the its fundamental function. The explanation of growth is suggested by Davey 1998 and Anderson 2000. Jacobson, 2005 outlines some of the affairs leading to the change in prison functions. The dire state of conditionsRead MoreCalifornia Prison System Essay910 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿ M7A1 Case Study 3: California Prison System AB 109 and AB 117 were introduced to ease the pressure of the federal and state budget through saving costs on the penitentiary system. In this regard, the reduction of the prison population and the transfer of a part of the prison population to county jails was one of the main provisions of AB 109 but AB 117 actually discharges provisions of AB 109. Such a paradoxical situation is the result of scarce financialRead MoreEffects Of Prison Overcrowding907 Words   |  4 Pagesdissatisfaction; unhappy prisoners are harder to control and more fighting is the result. There is also the problem of watching the inmates so that they have to remain inside their small cells for more time during the day. (Prison overcrowding is a growing concern in the U.S.) With a huge population of prisoners to manage, it is also difficult for that many prisoners to shower properly (McLoughlin). Another problem is that there is less time to eat per prisoner. The cafeteria must feed a huge population and must Read MoreEssay about Correctional System1469 Words   |  6 PagesThe U.S. correctional system has come under critical public scrutiny which has corrections administrators scrambling to find ways to run effective correctional facilities. The reality of corrections administration today is that it is changing. Major issues of this changing environment include ongoing budget concerns, privatization, technology, overcrowding, program issues, personnel management, security issues, and legal issues. This paper examines these current issues facing correctional administratorsRead MoreEssay On Prison Overpopulation1612 Words   |  7 Pagesdecade passes the American prison system population ever increases. Prison overcrowding is a huge detriment to society as a whole, even to those who don’t know what is going on. Prison crowding as one might expect can lead to inhumane and even unconstitutional conditions for prisoners (Mayeux). This problem causes prisoners to come out of state pr isons less educated than when they went in, and more likely to commit the same or similar crimes in which got them in prison in the first place. IllinoisRead MoreProblems with the American Prison System1076 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout history into today, there have been many problems with our prison system. Prisons are overcrowded, underfunded, rape rates are off the charts, and we as Americans have no idea how to fix it. We need to have shorter sentences and try to rehabilitate prisoners back to where they can function in society. Many prisoners barely have a high school education and do not receive further education in jail. Guards need to pay more attention to the well being of the inmates and start to notice signsRead MoreReform, Means Improvement : Prison Reform Essay1558 Words   |  7 PagesReform, means improvement. Prison reform, means the attempt to improve conditions inside prisons, establishing a more effective penal system, or implement alternatives to incarcerati on. The penal system is part of the larger criminal justice system. Prison reformation, is not just about the justice system or the criminal justice system. They all have a different meaning, but, in all, they do involve with the same concepts, expectations, and ways of doing things because it deals with community, societyRead MoreThe Mental Illness : Dr. Terry Kupers1431 Words   |  6 PagesThere are three common reasons for the mentally ill to be prevalent to isolation in our prisons systems (Torrey, 1997). First, those prisoners with preexisting mental illness may find it difficult to conform to prison regulations. They are therefore are often placed in solitary confinement for disciplinary purposes or administrative reasons. Second, many prisoners who are placed in solitary confinement develop severe mental illness as a result of the extreme isolation. Dr. Terry Kupers, one of theRead MoreSolving The Problem Of An Aging Prison Population1250 Words   |  5 Pages Solving the Problem of an Aging Prison Population Joshua N. Handy American Military University Abstract The American correctional system is facing many emerging issues. One of these issues is the exponential increase in aging offenders. In the past few decades, the number of geriatric offenders incarcerated has multiplied at an increasing rate. This essay addresses the issue of aging offenders in the correctional system; the problems that these offenders create and the underlying issuesRead MoreContraband in Prison1399 Words   |  6 Pagescomes to prisons, anything that can’t be bought in the commissary or that isn’t given to them when they get to prison is contraband. Contraband is a major issue behind the walls and can be anything from a â€Å"homemade† shank by the inmate, or drugs or weapons smuggled into the prison from various ways. Not only is different types of contraband in the prison a threat to the inmates lives, but also a threat to the officers on duty and other staff members. Some issues with contraband in a prison are: how